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What We’re Reading: New Mental Health Hotline; Deal Could Prevent Health Premium Spikes; NY Monkeypox Vaccines
Updated Suicide Prevention Lifeline number 988 takes effect July 16; deal to prevent spike in health insurance costs relies on support from Senator Joe Manchin III; monkeypox vaccine appointments are difficult to access in New York City.
National Mental Health Crisis Hotline 988 Launches July 16
Beginning Saturday, July 16, anyone experiencing a mental health emergency in the United States will be able to call or text the updated National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, 988, The New York Times reported. People can still use the original number, 1-800-273-8255, but experts hope the 3-digit number will be easier to remember and make the Lifeline more accessible to those who need it. Those who call the 24-hour Lifeline will be put in touch with trained counselors who can help them cope with general mental health concerns, emotional distress, and suicide crises, and can direct callers to additional resources as needed.
Democrats Work to Finalize Deal Preventing Health Premium Increases
Democrats in Congress are working to finalize a deal that would prevent a spike in health insurance costs for around 13 million Americans, The Washington Post reported. The deal relies on the support of Senator Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, who opposed last year’s Build Back Better Act for financial reasons. The new deal focuses on tax credits that assist Americans in low- and middle-income households in paying for their health insurance, which are currently set to expire in 2023, and it also aims to offer new help for the roughly 2.2 million people who do not qualify for federal aid but cannot enroll in Medicaid based on their state’s lack of expanded eligibility. Some senators have expressed hope for a finalized agreement by the end of August.
New Yorkers Face Challenges Accessing Monkeypox Vaccine Appointments
Despite more monkeypox vaccine appointments being released in New York City, they are still difficult to get, CBS News reported. Chelsea Sexual Health Clinic saw long lines for its limited walk-up appointments, and time slots added later in the day were booked within minutes. There are currently 223 reported cases in New York City, which is considered the epicenter of the monkeypox outbreak in the United States, and the White House announced it will send 14,000 additional vaccines to the city this week.
Evolving Roles of Antibody-Drug Conjugates in the Treatment of NSCLC
September 7th 2025Antibody-drug conjugates are rapidly reshaping the treatment landscape of non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with advances in design, clinical efficacy, and regulatory approvals tempered by ongoing challenges in toxicity, resistance, and biomarker optimization.
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AI in Health Care: Balancing Governance, Innovation, and Trust
September 2nd 2025In this conversation with Reuben Daniel, associate vice president of artificial intelligence at UPMC Health Plan, we dive into how UPMC Health Plan builds trust with providers and members, discuss challenges of scaling AI effectively, and hear about concrete examples of AI's positive impact.
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Comparing Global Standards in Lung Cancer: NCCN, ESMO, and CHEST Guidelines
September 6th 2025National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), and the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) offer complementary yet distinct frameworks for lung cancer care, reflecting differences in evidence evaluation, regional adaptation, and policy integration.
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Infertility Coverage Boosts ART Use and Pregnancy Success: Richard A. Brook, MS, MBA
August 26th 2025In this episode, Richard A. Brook, MS, MBA, discusses his study showing that infertility treatment coverage increases assisted reproductive technology (ART) use and improves pregnancy outcomes.
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